A Girlguiding volunteer from Kintore, Aberdeenshire has been recognised in the 2026 New Year Honours list for voluntary services to Girlguiding over the last 36 years.

Adele Steel, Ranger Leader and trainer in Gordon County, as well as Deputy County Commissioner for Girlguiding British Overseas Territories (GGBOT) was awarded the MBE by His Majesty the King in honour of their continued dedication to helping support girls and adults within Girlguiding.

Adele , 63, first became involved in guiding when they joined 1^st Menston Brownies as an Assistant Leader in West Yorkshire in 1983. Since, Adele has helped hundreds of girls know they can do anything, through fun, challenge and adventure as a Brownie and Ranger Leader.

During Adele’s time volunteering with Girlguiding they have been part of British Girlguiding Overseas (BGO) volunteering in Kuwait and Abu Dhabi as both a Brownie and Senior Section Leader. Adele is currently a Ranger Leader in Kintore, Aberdeenshire and supports the county by running a variety of training sessions to further support girls and Leaders in her local area. Amongst all this, she also currently holds the role of Deputy Commissioner for GGBOTs, which gives her the opportunity to Guide alongside Leaders from nine different overseas territories. This is mainly managed through online training and social sessions, as well as regular Zoom operational board meetings.

Adele Steel, 63, said: 

“I’m extremely proud to receive this award.

“Volunteering for Girlguiding is so rewarding. It’s been wonderful to work with so many girls young women and adults over the years. Girlguiding provides fantastic opportunities for girls to learn new skills and grow in confidence, speak out and make changes in their communities. I would like to dedicate this award to all of the girls I’ve had the pleasure of knowing over the last 36 years. Without the girls there would be no need for any of my roles.”

Gabrielle, 17, 1^st Kintore Rangers said:

“Adele has been great whilst we’ve been at Rangers, she listens to our ideas and she makes them happen. Within Rangers I’ve had so many opportunities such as learning new skills like cooking and sewing and I’ve also learnt leadership skills through guiding such as how to run a stall at our bake sale fundraiser

Adele also often goes away to loads of different countries to promote guiding and when she comes back she always has interesting stories to tell us (and she always brings back amazing snacks for us as well from around the world to enjoy at our meetings.)”

Ellie, 15, 1^st Kintore Rangers said:

“Adele is such a lovely person. She is so approachable. I love that she lets us decide what we want to do at meetings and that she gives us time to chat and be teenagers. She never treats us like little kids. We always get extra treats too!”

Diane Thomas, County Commissioner for Girlguiding British Overseas Territories (GGBOT) and former Chief Commissioner for British Girlguiding Overseas (BGO) region said:

“I want to congratulate and say a huge thank you to Adele for everything she has done while guiding with BGO region and GGBOT county. She always works exceptionally hard to support each adult volunteer as well as creating a space for hundred of girls to try new things, build their confidence, learn new skills, make their voices heard, believe in themselves and make new friends. Adele’s endless patience, energy, enthusiasm and commitment  to Girlguiding is amazing. We are over the moon for her”.